The Bullet:

Be sure you’re in compliance with the MPCA!

A county landfill has paid a civil penalty of $12k for its illegal acceptance of liquid hazardous waste.  View the release from the MPCA:  Crow Wing County Landfill penalized for hazardous and solid waste violations

Who:

Crow Wing County Landfill and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).  Contact:  Stephen Mikkelson, (218) 316-3887

What:

The facility accepted for temporary storage 15 barrels labeled as a characteristic hazardous waste (D001 for Ignitability). The barrels were disposed of in the municipal solid waste portion of the landfill.

Where:

Crow Wing County Landfill is located east of Brainerd, MN

When:

Violation occurred November of 2012.

Announced March 5, 2014

Why:

A hazardous waste (D001 for Ignitability) must be treated, stored, or disposed of only at a facility that has a permit under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).  Such a facility would also have to operate in compliance with the USEPA regulations of 40 CFR 264/265 (or their State equivalent).  A municipal solid waste landfill cannot accept hazardous waste for disposal unless there is an exception allowed by the state for hazardous waste from a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG).  Given the quantity of hazardous waste in this case, it is unlikely it originated from a CESQG.  Also, liquids of all kinds (hazardous or non-hazardous) are banned from landfill disposal.

How:

As a state with an authorized hazardous waste program, the MPCA has the authority to enforce hazardous waste regulations within Minnesota.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the management of hazardous waste or the transportation of hazardous materials.